dVH/RALH: Travel soon after surgery?

I am 4 weeks post op and am flying to NYC on Monday. My doctor said I could go, just not to over do it. On June 7th I'm flying to Denver to visit my son. I know the trips are not as far as France, but if your surgery and recovery go well you will probably be fine. Just listen to your body and rest when you need it. I am feeling really good, but still get tired in the evenings.
Also, follow your doctors post op instructions and get as much rest as you can before your trip and maybe you will be stronger for the trip.
Wishing you a successful surgery and a wonderful trip.

Definitely request an aisle seat as well so you can get up more easily. I am struggling with planning a trip for work that I need to take this Summer. I am just afraid that I won't be ready or that I will have complications when out of the country.

Oh, something I just remembered! *Make sure you know what your medications are called in France.* You need to know the generic names, not the brand names, and even the generic names are sometimes different.

Acetaminophen (sold as Tylenol in North America) is called paracetamol in France.

Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is still ibuprofen. Ask for "ee-bu-pro-fen" for faster comprehension at the pharmacy counter. :-)

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Originally Posted by TineInMT KodaiWoman ... I asked my doctor about going on an airplane soon after surgery because my Dad is in really bad health and I live in Montana and my family is all in New Jersey and she said that she would not be too happy about it, because for one month after surgery they are worried about blood clots in the leg and pelvis. However, if I do need to fly there, she suggested getting up every half hour and walking the aisle in the plane and also moving my legs and pelvis while sitting in the seat at least every half hour because of the risk of blood clots. She did not tell me I could not fly but she would definitely advise against it but it is my choice. Now, I was also told, and I want to stress that I do not know if this is true, but if you tell the airline ahead of time that you have certain conditions and if they worry too much its deemed a risk to you, they can deny you access to fly. I do not know if this is true but it worries me to say anything yet i do not want to get on a flight that they are not aware something could happen. Either way, I believe it is a personal choice, and if you feel up to going on the plane and are careful, then more power to you. I am also having a dVH on May 24th, and am anxious for the recovery time and want to make sure i heal properly cause we only get one shot at it. Good Luck and i hope all goes well with you. Enjoy your vacation!!! *gentle Hugs* ps ... you should do great with your surgery and flight by that point ... just better to be safe than sorry and to know all you can to keep yourself safe ... what a wonderful way to spend your recovery! May i steal into a luggage bag to go along? hehehe

Thanks TineInMT, I may ask my dr about compression stockings to wear on the plane to decrease the chances of blood clots. I will also get up frequently and walk which will help. It is a big plane so I should be able to do some laps! Good luck with your upcoming surgery and have a speedy and complete recovery!

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Originally Posted by SurprisedInNB Oh, something I just remembered! *Make sure you know what your medications are called in France.* You need to know the generic names, not the brand names, and even the generic names are sometimes different. Acetaminophen (sold as Tylenol in North America) is called paracetamol in France. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) is still ibuprofen. Ask for "ee-bu-pro-fen" for faster comprehension at the pharmacy counter. :-)

Good point, SurprisedInNB. Fortunately my daughter is fluent in French as she was an exchange student there during high school. She will be a wonderful asset on our trip!